Midge

Zebra Midge

Thread, wire, a bead. The most effective tailwater fly ever tied, and among the simplest.

$18.99

$1.58 per fly

Available at Amazon

Hook size
20
Imitates
Midge
Best water
Spring Creek, Tailwater

Choose a colour Size 20 · Black · 12 pack · $18.99

Buy on AmazonWalmart link coming soon

Buying happens on Amazon or Walmart. Links open in a new tab.

Pack
12 flies

How to fish it

Fishing notes

Deep under an indicator in winter, higher in the column during an emergence. Two Zebra Midges in different colours on one rig is a legitimate and very effective way to fish a tailwater in January.

About this fly

Thread, wire, a bead. The most effective tailwater fly ever tied, and among the simplest.

The Zebra Midge is three materials and it consistently out-fishes patterns with fifteen. Trout in cold tailwaters feed on midge larvae and pupae every day of the year, and this fly is an honest imitation of one: a thread body, a contrasting wire rib for segmentation, and a bead to sink it and suggest the thorax.

Five colours because midges vary and pressured fish get used to seeing one. Black and brown are the naturals; red, purple and white are the ones to switch to when the naturals stop producing.

Key features

  • Three materials — thread, wire, bead — and the most productive tailwater fly tied
  • Imitates the midge larvae and pupae trout eat every day of the year
  • Five colours so you can change the fish’s view without changing pattern
  • Black and brown are the naturals; red, purple and white are the switch-ups
  • Size 20 with a bead head, fishing deep or in the film

Further reading

More patterns

Fish these alongside it

All flies
Amazon